Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. In May 2020, his predecessor, Deputy Richard Bruton, announced seven offshore renewable energy projects that were designated as relevant projects. Before Christmas those projects received and were granted Ireland's first maritime area consents, MACs, from the Department, which is welcome. The Sceirde Rocks project off the coast of Connemara was included. I certainly hope that the recently announced redevelopment and upgrade of Rossaveal Harbour will assist in ensuring that project comes to fruition and will be the catalyst for jobs and renewal of that area.

The MAC allows for projects to engage with An Bord Pleanála on preplanning. That is important, as is An Bord Pleanála being fit for purpose in dealing with this and with maritime area consents. One would have to assume that these projects will not be delivered quickly. Maybe I am wrong; the Minister can correct me. However, such projects need to be expedited and pushed along. My concern is that anything that is done regarding offshore is subject to so much environmental work, and so many appeals, that the timelines on delivery of projects like this are affected, even though it is a very important next step that MACs can involve engagement on preplanning with An Bord Pleanála. Senator McDowell referenced Derrybrien. I look forward to his proposed legislation and seeing what the Government's reaction will be to that. Looking at it from the outside, it can be said that a project that is in place and can generate electricity that has not been utilised, or allowed to be utilised, raises questions. There are legal issues as well. I look forward to that debate when it happens.

The future of energy is offshore. Perhaps the Minister will give a view on where we are with onshore. Are we now less likely to see onshore projects or does onshore still have a future? County Galway has been mapped and many parts of it are unsuitable for onshore works. The region in which I live, Connemara, has Ireland's largest wind park. It has also been utilised for amenities, trails and the like. It is a significant boost to the area, as it was during construction. That is not to say there were not issues. Once these projects are built they are fine but, during the construction phase, when the existing road network has to be used and, in certain cases, the area may be heavily populated, there can be and have been conflicts. It is also worth noting, in the context of the planning process, that the heavy machinery, dust and all that goes with it causes upset to a number of people, notwithstanding the important role such projects play.

According to the Wind Energy Ireland report, wind farms provided 34% of our electricity last year, which was up four points from 2021. That is progress. It is to be hoped that this year and in the coming years that will increase further. Of course, that is not to say there are not days when the wind does not blow but, in general, we have seen progression on this. That is important in having the right energy mix, the sustainable use of electricity, the reduction of carbon emissions, and in the cost of purchase of fossil fuels where there are alternatives, as there are in this case.

Offshore is a very important part of our energy sector. There is significant potential in our offshore energy. I hope our offshore projects can be expedited through the processes and various stages without, obviously, cutting any corners or undermining people's confidence in the planning system. Nonetheless, these projects should be expedited and should get up and going. The community gains that are so intrinsic to these projects should be provided through supports, which we have seen in the onshore sector and can be replicated offshore.